Psalm 97–99

God the Supreme Ruler

97The Lord is king! Earth, be glad!

Rejoice, you islands of the seas!

²Clouds and darkness surround him;

he rules with righteousness and justice.

³Fire goes in front of him

and burns up his enemies round him.

⁴His lightning lights up the world;

the earth sees it and trembles.

⁵The hills melt like wax

before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

⁶The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

and all the nations see his glory.

⁷Everyone who worships idols is put to shame;

all the gods bow down^v before the Lord.

⁸The people of Zion are glad,

and the cities of Judah rejoice

because of your judgements, O Lord.

⁹Lord Almighty, you are ruler of all the earth;

you are much greater than all the gods.

¹⁰The Lord loves those who hate evil;^w

he protects the lives of his people;

he rescues them from the power of the wicked.

¹¹Light shines on the righteous,

and gladness on the good.

¹²All you that are righteous be glad

because of what the Lord has done!

Remember what the holy God has done,

and give thanks to him.

God the Ruler of the World^x

98 Sing a new song to the Lord;

he has done wonderful things!

By his own power and holy strength

he has won the victory.

²The Lord announced his victory;

he made his saving power known to the nations.

³He kept his promise to the people of Israel

with loyalty and constant love for them.

All people everywhere have seen the victory of our God.

⁴Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;

praise him with songs and shouts of joy!

⁵Sing praises to the Lord!

Play music on the harps!

⁶Blow trumpets and horns,

and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.

⁷Roar, sea, and every creature in you;

sing, earth, and all who live on you!

⁸Clap your hands, you rivers;

you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,

⁹because he comes to rule the earth.

He will rule the peoples of the world

with justice and fairness.

God the Supreme King

99^*The Lord is king;

and the people tremble.

He is enthroned above the winged creatures

and the earth shakes.

²The Lord is mighty in Zion;

he is supreme over all the nations.

³Everyone will praise his great and majestic name.

Holy is he!

⁴Mighty king,^y you love what is right;

you have established justice in Israel;

you have brought righteousness and fairness.

⁵Praise the Lord our God;

worship before his throne!

Holy is he!

⁶Moses and Aaron were his priests,

and Samuel was one who prayed to him;

they called to the Lord, and he answered them.

^7*He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;

they obeyed the laws and commands that he gave them.

⁸O Lord, our God, you answered your people;

you showed them that you are a God who forgives,

even though you punished them for their sins.

⁹Praise the Lord our God,

and worship at his sacred hill!^z

The Lord our God is holy.